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The District Collector of Tiruvannamalai, Mr. Anshul Mishra, visited the Kovilur watershed project, facilitated by Hand in Hand India, on 17 April 2012. This project is a collaborative effort of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with Helping Hand Micro Finance and Services. This marks the first CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) watershed project in Tamil Nadu for NABARD, which has been working with corporate houses to strengthen their CSR activities.

The Kovilur project was initiated in March 2012. Assistant General Manager of NABARD - Mr. Sudharsan, Block Development Officer, Officer from the Revenue Department, Tehsildar, Village Administrative Officer, Union Chairman, Union Vice Chairman and Panchayat President were also present during the visit.

The de-silted check-dam visited by the Collector, would hold 1,91,000 litres of water and would also percolate the water to the wells nearby. The Collector appreciated the work of locals from the neighbouring Bargur and Arasavalli villages who initiated the work as Shramdan (voluntary labour). The villagers interacted with the Collector, sharing with him the many concerns of the village, especially that of the school.

Two watershed projects are being implemented under the NABARD – Helping Hand Micro Finance and Services initiative in the Jawad hills of Tiruvannamalai District, namely, at Nammiyampattu and Kovilur villages.